Polk Detectives Arrest 78 in Prostitution Investigation

Monday

Jan 14, 2013 at 11:46 AMJan 14, 2013 at 4:38 PM

BARTOW | A computer programmer working on a project for the city of Lakeland and a porn video actress were among the 78 people arrested this weekend during a Polk County Sheriff's Office operation targeting prostitution through online solicitations.

By ELVIA MALAGONTHE LEDGER

BARTOW | A computer programmer working on a project for the city of Lakeland and a porn video actress were among the 78 people arrested this weekend during a Polk County Sheriff's Office operation targeting prostitution through online solicitations.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the sting at a news conference Monday afternoon and said it happened at a hotel in the Lakeland area.

Undercover detectives answered and posted listings on websites such as backpage.com and Craigslist for those seeking or willing to have sex in exchange for money.

Judd defended the practice of having operations targeting prostitution because he says those arrests help the com-munity.

"One thing for those who think it's just a misdemeanor, many of those who were married wanted unprotected sex," Judd said. "We have a health hazard here."

Judd said detectives will continue to conduct the stings throughout the year.

Among those arrested was Hemambar Mamidi, 26, of Tampa, who is not employed by the city of Lakeland but works as a programmer through World Technologies Inc., on projects for the city, said Kevin Cook, spokesman for the city. He was released from the Polk County Jail Sunday on a $250 bail.

Tomakeet L. Gousby, 34, of Mulberry, also was arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution. Cook said Gousby works as a driver for the city of Lakeland's solid waste department. He was released Saturday from the Polk County Jail on a $250 bail, according to jail records.

Judd said one of the women arrested during the sting told deputies she is a porn actress. Dalavone Keobandith, 26, of Los Angeles, was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. She remained in the Polk County Jail on Monday on a $1,000 bail.

A Lakeland woman who was arrested on a charge of deriving prostitution told deputies she left her three children home alone while she drove her friend to have sex in exchange for money. Brittany M. Dodd, 25, was also charged with child neglect and contributing to delinquency.

At the news conference, deputies printed a long, laminated paper with the arrest history of Willie S. Allen, 48, of Tampa, who was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Judd said Allen worked as a manager for some of the women who were offering deputies to have sex in exchange for money.

"This guy was the muscle for the prostitutes," Judd said.

The following people are charged with soliciting prostitution and various drug charges: